Dear Editor,
I APPLAUD Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s recent visit to New York and his engagement with the Guyanese diaspora. His presence demonstrates his commitment to his vision and leadership in promoting “One Guyana”—a strategic framework aimed at fostering national unity and accelerating the country’s development of all Guyanese.
Central to this vision is the engagement of the Guyanese diaspora across the globe. Dr Ali’s outreach to the diaspora is a cornerstone of his efforts to harness unity and their potential to contribute to Guyana’s growth.
His “One Guyana” initiative is designed to bridge the historical ethnic divides in Guyana, predominantly between the Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese communities, and to create a cohesive national identity that transcends individual backgrounds.
This vision encompasses economic, social, and cultural dimensions, aiming to leverage Guyana’s rich resources, including its recent oil discoveries, to benefit the entire population.
Dr. Ali’s engagement with the Guyanese diaspora in New York highlights the practical steps being taken to integrate these overseas nationals into the national development agenda. New York, with its large Guyanese community, serves as a critical hub for this engagement.
The active participation of the Guyanese diaspora is expected to bring substantial benefits, including increased foreign direct investment, a boost in skilled labour, and a stronger international presence. Dr. Ali’s engagement in New York not only reaffirms his commitment to the “One Guyana” vision, but also positions the diaspora as a key player in the country’s journey toward sustainable development and unity.
Guyana is ready and open to attracting professionals from the diaspora to contribute their expertise. I encourage our Guyanese brothers and sisters to return to our dear land and make a contribution to securing this “One Guyana” vision for all. I will return to make my contribution.
This strategic engagement aims to build a prosperous future whereby all Guyanese, regardless of where they reside, can contribute to and benefit from the nation’s growth.
The ongoing engagement between the government and its overseas community is a promising step toward realising the full potential of this collaboration. As a Guyanese national living abroad, I see the commitment of our president to promoting national unity, transparency, and the inclusion of all Guyanese. Let us reject those who want to spread hatred and division; those days are gone.
Yours respectfully,
Howard Samaroo
